Window shade and curtain brackets and mounting means therefor

ABSTRACT

An assemblage is provided whereby window shade and/or curtain mounting means are quickly and easily positioned with respect to any window or like opening by special plates or brackets and associated compressive anchoring means which permit mounting of the plates or brackets without the need for any nails, screws or other fastening means which penetrate the frame surrounding said opening. The brackets can include window shade mounting means within the framework of a window, as well as outwardly offset and upwardly extending means for mounting curtains or drapes laterally beyond a window frame or like opening. The plates or brackets are supported within a window frame or similar opening by means of telescopic rails and a compression unit mounted on the smaller of said telescopic rails having means for providing a macro adjustment longitudinally of said rail in adapting the assemblage to a particular size window frame or opening and a micro adjustment, whereby firm compressive force is applied to the end of the larger or outer telescopic rail. Firm positioning of the assemblage is facilitated by providing a layer of rubber or other resilient material along portions of the plates or brackets compressively engaging the window frame.

United States Patent [1 1 Patrick et a1.

[ 1 Nov. 12, 1974 [22] Filed: Sept. 24, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 400,069

[52] [1.5.0. 248/252, 211/105.4 [51] Int. Cl A47h l/14 [58] Field of Search 248/252, 263; 211/1054, 211/1053 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,022,187 4/1912 Eveleigh 248/252 1,046,646 12/1912 Richard 248/252 1,253,486 1/1918 Hammer 211/1054 1,350,221 8/1920 Griffin 248/252 1,682,079 8/1928 Hannah... 248/252 2,474,434 6/1949 Mentz t I 248/252 X 2,725,989 12/1955 Burkey 211/ 105.4 2,974,806 3/1961 Seewalk 211/1054 3,040,902 6/1962 Dunn 211/1054 3,521,758 7/1970 Guilfoyle 211/105.4 3,580,397 5/1971 Triplett 211/1054 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 535,666 ll/1955 Italy 211/1054 1,184,165 7/1954 France 211/105.4

Primary Examiner-Paul R. Gilliam Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Howard E. Thompson. Jr.

[57] ABSTRACT An assemblage is provided whereby window shade and/or curtain mounting means are quickly and easily positioned with respect to any window or like opening by special plates or brackets and associated compressive anchoring means which permit mounting of the plates or brackets without the need for any nails, screws or other fastening means which penetrate the frame surrounding said opening.

The brackets can include window shade mounting means within the framework of a window, as well as outwardly offset and upwardly extending means for mounting curtains or drapes laterally beyond a window frame or like opening.

The plates or brackets are supported within a window frame or similar opening by means of telescopic rails and a compression unit mounted on the smaller of said telescopic rails having meansfor providing a macro adjustment longitudinally of said rail in adapting the assemblage to a particular size window frame or opening and a micro adjustment, whereby firm compressive force is applied to the end of the larger or outer telescopic rail.

Firm positioning of theassemblage is facilitated by providing a layer of rubber or other resilient material along portions of the plates or brackets compressively engaging the window frame.

12 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEDHUV 12 i974 sum 10; 2 3847337 PMENTEDNUVIZIHM Sam a 3.847.337

WINDOW SHADE AND CURTAIN BRACKETS AND MOUNTING MEANS THEREFOR justable means on said unit for applying a substantial compressive force between the anchorage point of said unit on the smaller rail and the adjacent end of said larger telescopic rail.

The plates or brackets thus compressively supported in the window frame or like opening require no nails, screws or other fasteners penetrating, the frame structure. In order to provide firm, non-slip, support of said plates or brackets, however, it is preferable that the surfaces thereof contacting the window frame or other vertical support surfaces carry a thin layer of rubber or other compressible material.

The plate or bracket portions of the assemblage can be provided with conventional socket forming means for the mounting of roll-type window shades, and if desired the plate. or bracket members can be provided with forwardly, laterally and/or upwardly extending portions carrying appropriate anchorage means for the mounting of panel curtains, drapes, valances and the like for ornamenting the window or like opening.

The basic concept of compressively mounting curtain supporting brackets and the like in window frames and similar openings is not new in the art, but to the extent that such prior approaches are known to applicants, they have involved the use of cumbersome turnbuckles or other specially designed transverse members to provide the needed compressive action. The novel approach in accordance with the present invention, on the other hand, u'ses telescopic rails which are of a type conventionally employed in extensible curtain rods, valance rods and the like. By devising a simple compressive unit effectively coacting with such conventional curtain rods as the telescopic rails, the assemblage of the present invention can be manufactured and sold very inexpensively while, at the same time providing an ease of installation and dependability of mounting this sort. In multiple dwelling units, such as apartment houses, motels and the like, the extensive use of metal window frames makes the mounting of curtain brackets and the like difficult, due to the need for special drilling and tapping equipment. Furthermore, the increasing Novel features of the compressively mountable assemblage of the present invention will be more fully understood from a consideration of the following description, having reference to the accompanying drawing, in which preferred embodiments have been illustrated with the various parts thereof identified by suitable reference characters in each of the views, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation view showing two brackets of the assemblage compressively mounted in a window frame or like opening.

FIG..2 is a perspective view of one shown in FIG. 1. a

FIG. 3 isa plan view of the cutout metal blank before re-fonning to the configuration shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged and shortened sectional view substantially on the broken line 4-4 of FIG. 1 showing details of the compression element.

FIG. Sis an expanded perspective view of the compression element and coacting telescopic rails; and FIG. 6- is a modified showing of one of the components illustrated in FIG. 5.

In FIGS. 1 and 4 of the drawing, the assemblage 10 of the invention is shown as mounted within a window,

door, alcove or other opening 11 in a wall 12 with the opening 11 being bounded by essentially parallel and vertically oriented side walls 13, 13' and generally by atop wall 14.When the wall opening 11 is a window andthe assemblage 10 is to be used for hanging shades,

curtains, drapes and the like, the assemblage 10 is preferably oriented as closely aspossible to the top wall 14.

. In other uses and adaptations of the invention, howgagement with walls 13 and 13' respectively by the compressive action of inner and outer telescoping rails 16, 16' which are forced apart by compression unit 17. The rails l6, 16 are of conventional, extensible curtain rod construction having a generally rectangular contour, as clearly shown in FIG. 5 of the drawing, and suitably having slits 18 along the aligned flat sides facilitating close, but non-binding, engagement between the telescoping parts.

Having reference to the enlarged perspective showing of the plate or bracket 15 in FI'G. 2, it will be noted use of hardboard or dry wall constructions adjacent to 3 windows creates a problem, due to the difficulty in getting conventional nails, screws or other fasteners to firmly anchor in this type of material. Problems of this sort can be completely avoided with the provision of practical compressively mountable bracket means.

that the vertically oriented plate portion 19 thereof is provided adjacent its upper end with-an outwardly projecting integral spring member 20 having an inwardly extending angular portion 21 andflange 22 for internally engaging the free end of the rail 16. While describing details of the plate or bracket 15 in connection with FIG. 2, it should be noted that. like parts of the sec ond plate or bracket member 15' are being identified in FIGS. 1 and 4 with corresponding numbers 19', 20', etc.

As will clearly be seen from the showing in FIG. 4 of v the drawing, firm engagement with the inner surfaces of the tubular rail 16 is provided by suitably adjusting the angle'of the portion 21 of the spring member 20. Note, in this connection, that in properly fitting the of the brackets larger telescopic rail 16', the angularity of the portion 21' of spring member 20' is somewhat greater than the angularity of the portion 21 of spring member 20. The

appropriate adjustment, however, is easily made when readying the parts of the assemblage for mounting in a wall opening 11.

The plate portion 19 of the bracket or plate also carries below the spring member an integral and outwardly protruding socket portion 23 for mounting a. conventional roll shade. It will be noted that the socket 23 has cutouts 24 for appropriately engaging the backing layer 25 of rubber or other compressible material, which may be adhesively applied, to provide a firm and non-slipping engagement with the wall 13; and it will be understood that, if the sole purpose of the plates or brackets 15, '15 is to provide support for a roll shade, these'brackets can terminate at the vertically oriented plate portions 19, 19'.

It is generally preferred, however, that the plate or bracket members 15, 15' include means for mounting other cover materials such as curtains, drapes and valances with respect to the wall opening 11. Accordingly, the plates or brackets 15, 15 have been shown as including integral forwardly extending portions 26, 26' joining at a sharp bend 27, 27 with laterally extending portions 28, 28' carrying elongated upward extensions 29, 29' with forwardly extending brackets 30, 30' and 31, 31 having notches 32 at the upper ends thereof for anchoring engagement with conventional curtain rods. One desiring to mount only curtains over the wall opening 11 will use the outer brackets 30, 30' for mounting the curtains. On the other hand, if both curtains and drapes are to be employed, the inner brackets 31, 31 will be used for the curtains and the outer brackets 30, 30 used for the drapes, as is normally the practice with conventional curtain and drape mounting equipment.

FIG. 3 illustrates the bracket 15 in blank form as cut from sheet metal or the like and prior 'to folding and reforming to'the contour shown in FIG. 2. The blank contour is such as to permit a substantial saving in material by interfitting blank patterns in various ways on the sheet metal stock. One such interfitting arrangement haas been indicated in dot and dash lines in FIG. 3.

It will be noted from FIG. 4 of the drawing that the upwardly extending portions 29, 29 carrying the cur tain and/or drape mounting brackets have been shown as spaced outwardly from the wall surface 12. This is an arrangement contemplated and considered entirely practical in the use of the assemblage, but it will be understood that this outward spacing'will vary from one installation to another and that, in some instances, the upwardly extending portions 29, 29. will bear against the wall surface 12.

Attention is now directed to the compression unit 17, which is shown in greater detail in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 of the drawing, as comprising a body part 32 .of generally cylindrical contour having an axial cutout 33 of rectangular contour adapted to slidably engage the smaller rail 16. The body portion 32 is tapped at 34 to receive a thumbscrew 35 for providing clamping engagement with the rail 16 to position the body portion 32 with respect thereto. A threaded portion 36 at one end of the body part 32 is oriented in the direction of the larger telescopic rail 16' and carries an internally threaded collar 37 which bears against a washer 38 having a rectangular opening 39 for close slidable engagement with the rail 16 and peripheral bearing engagement with the adjacent end of the larger rail 16, as clearly shown in FIG. 4.

In mounting the assemblage 10 within a wall opening 11, one first makes sure that the collar 37 is moved sufficiently to the left, as shown in FIG. 4, so as to not protrude beyond the body part 32. Then by loosening the thumbscrew 35, the body portion 32 of the compres sion unit 17 can be moved along the rail 16 and the rails 16, 16' telescopically adjusted to provide a loose fit of the assemblage between the walls 13, 13'. Having established this relationship which, when adjusted to a window opening, can .be done on the windowsill, the thumbscrew 35 is tightened to prevent further movement of the body portion 32 of the compression unit and the assemblage is elevated to the desired position in the wall opening 11. Rotation of the collar 37 to advance it to the right, as shown in FIG. 4, then develops a substantial compression force against the washer 38 forcing the plates l9, 19 into firm engagement with the walls 13, 13. If the assemblage is not accurately positioned in a first attempt, it is merely necessary to loosen slightly the collar 37, make the desired adjustment in the position of the plate 19 or 19' and then re-tighten the collar 37 against the washer 38.

It will be appreciated from the foregoing description that positioning and/or re-locating the assemblage in a window or other wall opening can be accomplished very easily without the use of any special skills or tools and will provide firm mounting of the assemblage in any wall opening having opposed vertical surfaces that are reasonably parallel to each other.

The compression unit 17, protruding as it does slightly beyond the rails 16, 16', restricts the height at which the assemblage can be mounted in a window or other opening having a top wall 14. As a means for limiting this protrusion of the compression unit 17, the size of the collar 37 can be reduced by reducing the size of the threaded portion, as seen at 36a in FIG. 6 of the drawing. Instead of having the threads protruding outwardly, as shown in FIG. 5, depressing the threads 36a into the body 32, and eliminating material at upper and lower portions of the axial cutout 33, can accommodate a collar 37 of much smaller diameter. In this modification, the threaded portion 36a comprises two threaded lugs protruding from the body part 32 which can be as effectively engaged by the collar 37 as the complete threads shown in FIG. 5.

The compression unit 17 and the several components thereof can be fashioned from aluminum or other metal, as well as from plastic material. A practical assemblage, for example, might be a body part 32 and collar 37 fashioned from plastic material with the thumbscrew 35 and washer 38 fashioned from metal.

A factor contributing to the practicability of the new assemblage is the use of conventional telescoping curtain rod' extenders as the rails 16, 16. In this way, the assemblage can be adapted to wall openings 11 of various widths by merely selecting rails 16, 16 of appropriate length to provide a significant telescopic overlap when extended to span the spacing between walls 13, 13'.

The reader might question why the assemblage has been described as compressively mountable when the over-all effect in its installation is one of expansion. This has been done because the term compressively is considered to be more accurately descriptive of how the mounting is accomplished. The force applied against the rail 16 by the collar 37 and washer 38 is a compressive force, and the plates l9, 19 are most definitely compressed against the walls i3, 13.

Various changes and modifications of the assemblage for positioning shade and curtain mounting means in wall openings as herein disclosed may occur to those skilled in the art, and to the extent that such changes and modifications are embraced by the appended claims it is to be understood that they constitute part of the present invention.

We claim:

1. A compressively mountable bracket assemblage for window frames and like openings comprising plate members adapted to engage opposed vertical surfaces within a window frame or like opening, telescopically interfitting rails extending between said plate members and positioned with. respect thereto by protruding spring elements on said plate members adapted to extend into adjacent ends of said telescopic rails, the smaller of said telescopic rails slidably and telescopically receiving a compression unit, said compression unit having a generally cylindrical body part, means for locking said body part in desired positions longitudinally of said smaller rail, a washer-like element are slidabiy engaging said smaller rail between said body part and the larger telescopic rail, the inner dimension of said washer-like element being such as to provide bearing engagement with the end of said larger rail, and said compression unit further including a collar having threaded engagement with said body part and bearing engagement with said washer-like element, rotation of said collar with respect to said body part developing substantial compressive force between the anchorage point of said body part on the smaller rail and the end of said larger rail to thereby firmly engage said plate members with the opposed vertical surfaces of said window frame or like opening, and said plate members carrying means for the support of conventional coverings for said window or like opening.

2. A compressively mountable bracket assemblage as defined in claim 1, wherein said last named means includes socket members protruding from said plate members below said'spring elements adapted to receive the ends of conventional roll shades.

3. A compressively mountable bracket assemblage as defined in claim 1, wherein said last named means includes extensions on said plate members which project forwardly, laterally and then upwardly with respect to said window frame or like opening and having at the upper extremity thereof means for the support of a plurality of conventional curtain rods.

4. A compressively mountable bracket assemblage as defined in claim 1, wherein said last named means includes socket members protruding from said plate members below said spring elements adapted to receive the ends of conventional roll shades, and said last named means further includes extensions on said plate members which project forwardly, laterally and then upwardly with respect to said window frame or like opening and having at the upper extremity thereof means for the support of a plurality of conventional curtain rods.

5. A compressively mountable bracket assemblage as defined in claim '1, wherein said telescopic rails comprise conventional curtain rod extending rails having a generally rectangular cross-sectional contour with a slit extending along the one wider dimensioned side thereof facilitating telescopic movement of one rail within the other.

6. A compressively mountable bracket assemblage as defined in claim 1, wherein said telescopic rails comprise conventional curtain rod extending rails having a generally rectangular cross-sectional contour with a slit extending along the one wider dimensioned side thereof facilitating telescopic movement of one rail within the other, and'said compression unit comprising a body part having an axial passage of generally rectangular contour closely receiving said smaller rail, and a thumbscrew extending through one end portion of said body part for clamping engagement with said rail.

7. A compressively mountable bracket assemblage as defined in claim 6, wherein the other end portion of said body part is externally threaded to receive said collar, the length of said threaded portion being such as to permit retraction of said collar at least to a point of alignment with said end of the body part.

8. A compressively mountable bracket assemblage as defined in claim 7, wherein said externally threaded portion comprises spaced lugs projecting from said body part with parallel inner opposed surfaces which are coextensive with engaged wider surfaces of said rail, whereby the diameter of said collar can be reduced to a minimal dimension.

9. A compressively mountable bracket assemblage as defined in claim 7, wherein the diameter of said washer-like element is no greater than the maximum diameter of said collar.

lltlt. A compressively mountable bracket assemblage as defined in claim 6, wherein the body part of said compression unit and said collar are fashioned from molded plastic material.

11. A compressively mountable bracket assemblage as defined in claim 1, wherein said plate members, on the surfaces thereof adapted to engage a window frame or like opening, are provided with a thin coating of compressible material facilitating firm compressive mounting of said plate members in said opening.

12.. A compressively mountable bracket assemblage as defined in claim 11, wherein said coating of compressible material comprises thin sheets of rubber adhesively secured to said plates.

t 4= =l= i 

1. A compressively mountable bracket assemblage for window frames and like openings comprising plate members adapted to engage opposed vertical surfaces within a window frame or like opening, telescopically interfitting rails extending between said plate members and positioned with respect thereto by protruding spring elements on said plate members adapted to extend into adjacent ends of said telescopic rails, the smaller of said telescopic rails slidably and telescopically receiving a compression unit, said compression unit having a generally cylindrical body part, means for locking said body part in desired positions longitudinally of said smaller rail, a washerlike element are slidably engaging said smaller rail between said body part and the larger telescopic rail, the inner dimension of said washer-like element being such as to provide bearing engagement with the end of said larger rail, and said compression unit further including a collar having threaded engagement with said body part and bearing engagement with said washer-like element, rotation of said collar with respect to said body part developing substantial compressive force between the anchorage point of said body part on the smaller rail and the end of said larger rail to thereby firmly engage said plate members with the opposed vertical surfaces of said window frame or like opening, and said plate members carrying means for the support of conventional coverings for said window or like opening.
 2. A compressively mountable bracket assemblage as defined in claim 1, wherein said last named means includes socket members protruding from said plate members below said spring elements adapted to receive the ends of conventional roll shades.
 3. A compressively mountable bracket assemblage as defined in claim 1, wherein said last named means includes extensions on said plate members which project forwardly, laterally and then upwardly with respect to said window frame or like opening and having at the upper extremity thereof means for the support of a plurality of conventional curtain rods.
 4. A compressively mountable bracket assemblage as defined in claim 1, wherein said last named means includes socket members protruding from said plate members below said spring elements adapted to receive the ends of conventional roll shades, and said last named means further includes extensions on said plate members which project forwardly, laterally and then upwardly with respect to said window frame or like opening and having at the upper extremity thereof means for the support of a plurality of conventional curtain rods.
 5. A compressively mountable bracket assemblage as defined in claim 1, wherein said telescopic rails comprise conventional curtain rod extending rails having a generally rectangular cross-sectional contour with a slit extending along the one wider dimensioned side thereof facilitating telescopic movement of one rail within the other.
 6. A compressively mountable bracket assemblage as defined in claim 1, wherein said telescopic rails comprise conventional curtain rod extending rails having a generally rectaNgular cross-sectional contour with a slit extending along the one wider dimensioned side thereof facilitating telescopic movement of one rail within the other, and said compression unit comprising a body part having an axial passage of generally rectangular contour closely receiving said smaller rail, and a thumbscrew extending through one end portion of said body part for clamping engagement with said rail.
 7. A compressively mountable bracket assemblage as defined in claim 6, wherein the other end portion of said body part is externally threaded to receive said collar, the length of said threaded portion being such as to permit retraction of said collar at least to a point of alignment with said end of the body part.
 8. A compressively mountable bracket assemblage as defined in claim 7, wherein said externally threaded portion comprises spaced lugs projecting from said body part with parallel inner opposed surfaces which are coextensive with engaged wider surfaces of said rail, whereby the diameter of said collar can be reduced to a minimal dimension.
 9. A compressively mountable bracket assemblage as defined in claim 7, wherein the diameter of said washer-like element is no greater than the maximum diameter of said collar.
 10. A compressively mountable bracket assemblage as defined in claim 6, wherein the body part of said compression unit and said collar are fashioned from molded plastic material.
 11. A compressively mountable bracket assemblage as defined in claim 1, wherein said plate members, on the surfaces thereof adapted to engage a window frame or like opening, are provided with a thin coating of compressible material facilitating firm compressive mounting of said plate members in said opening.
 12. A compressively mountable bracket assemblage as defined in claim 11, wherein said coating of compressible material comprises thin sheets of rubber adhesively secured to said plates. 